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Publication Number
US-8409251-B2
Publication Date
2013-04-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
A suture anchor assembly with an anchor and a driver locatable in an axial longitudinal opening in the anchor. A suture is provided extending through the opening and outside of the anchor at its distal end, and passing proximally along longitudinal grooves on the outside of the anchor. A recess is provided in the longitudinal opening of the suture body and a groove formation is provided in the drive part of the driver to locate the suture therein.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a suture anchor assembly including an anchor locatable in a bone, a suture, and a driver selectively engageable with the anchor to enable rotation of the anchor. The anchor includes a body with a helical screw thread on an exterior and is arranged to be screwed into a pre-drilled hole in the bone. The anchor body has an opening extending longitudinally completely through the body with a cross section of a non-circular, geometric shape.
The driver includes a drive part locatable within the opening of the anchor and is profiled such that rotation of the driver causes rotation of the anchor. A suture extends longitudinally completely through the opening of the anchor, and a groove extends over only a distal part of a length of the drive part to receive the suture therein. At least one recess is provided in one or more side walls of the opening over only a proximal part of the length of the anchor body, at least partially locating the suture in the at least one recess.
The recess substantially coincides with the portion of the drive part that does not have the groove, thereby allowing the suture to be located along proximal and distal regions while the anchor is rotated by the driver. The specification further describes alternative anchor opening geometries and engagement forms, including options for rectangular or triangular opening cross sections and through-hole or slot engagement, and driver/anchor configurations that enable flush proximal anchor placement without a screw head or suture eyelet.
The disclosed system also includes stated refinements such as distal snag-prevention features, sliding-fit driver-to-opening engagement, and routing of the suture via external grooves or recesses on the anchor exterior. Material options are described, including bioabsorbable polymer, bioactive filler, metal, and PEEK, and the specification outlines corresponding methods of attaching sutures to bone using the described driver/anchor system.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides one independent claim (clm-00001). It defines a complete suture anchor assembly with a rotating, profiled driver and an anchor having a longitudinally through-opening with a non-circular geometric cross section, including a distal-only groove on the driver and a proximal-only recess in the anchor opening (substantially coincident with the non-grooved portion).
Non-circular longitudinal anchor opening and profiled rotating driver
A suture anchor assembly including an anchor with a helical screw thread and an opening extending longitudinally completely through the body having a cross section of a non-circular, geometric shape, and a driver with a drive part locatable within the opening and profiled such that rotation of the driver causes rotation of the anchor.
Distal-only groove on drive part with proximal-only recess in anchor opening
A suture that extends longitudinally completely through the opening, a groove extending over only a distal part of a length of the drive part to receive the suture therein, and at least one recess provided in one or more side walls of the opening over only a proximal part of the length of the anchor body to at least partially locate the suture, where the recess substantially coincides with the portion of the drive part that does not have the groove.
Across the independent claim, the claim coverage centers on the interaction between a profiled driver and a helical anchor having a longitudinal non-circular opening, and the functional distribution of suture-receiving structures: distal groove on the drive part and proximal recess in the anchor opening that substantially coincides with the non-grooved portion of the drive part.
Stated Advantages
Allows flush proximal anchor placement without a screw head or suture eyelet.
Provides full-length thread torque transfer.
Improved holding power.
Reduces eyelet weakness and fretting.
MRI compatibility for non-metal variants.
Documented Applications
Attaching sutures to bone using the driver/anchor system, where the anchor is screwed into a pre-drilled hole in the bone and a suture is carried through the anchor opening for retention.
Use with optional sterilized packaging.
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